Book
Dominance and defiance: a study of marital instability in an Islamic African society
American Anthropological Association • (6) • Published In 1971 • Pages: ix, 213
By: Cohen, Ronald.
Abstract
This is a study of marriage stability and divorce among the Kanuri of northeastern Nigeria. The divorce rate among the Kanuri is extremely high: 64% of marriages ever contracted end in divorce and 71% of people have been divorced at least once. Cohen uses a questionnaire, student essays and a psychological test to identify the major factors influencing marriage instability. Controlling for gender, urban-rural differences, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic status, the author concludes that an ideology of male dominance rooted in Islamic teachings--most manifest in the practice of purdah--combined with societal acceptance and accommodation of divorced women are among the principal influences affecting divorce. Divorce rates are highest in urban areas where households tend to be more wealthier and status-oriented, and housing for divorced women more available. In poorer rural areas, husbands are more dependent on their wives' labor and divorce is less frequent. Cohen sees divorce as a consequence of women's defiance of male dominance.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1998
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Western Africa
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 1996
- Field Date
- 1955-57, 1965-66
- Coverage Date
- 1960s
- Coverage Place
- Borno State, Nigeria
- Notes
- Ronald Cohen
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 211-213)
- LCCN
- 77029661
- LCSH
- Kanuri (African people)